Academics accused of failing to protect wonder material

Graphene was discovered by two Russian scientists at Manchester UniversityIvan Alvarado

Graphene, the “miracle material” 200 times stronger than steel, has been left “totally unprotected” by the university that discovered it, MPs have been warned.

In written evidence to an inquiry by the Commons science and technology committee, Manchester University is accused of being “at best naive, at worst grossly negligent” over its efforts to protect the intellectual property rights of graphene since it was discovered in 2004 .

The inquiry was announced after The Sunday Times revealed how academics were refusing to work at the National Graphene Institute (NGI), based at the university, after a firm linked to China was granted access to research.

Dr Nigel Salter, who used to work with the university, told MPs that the £5m deal in 2013 between the university…

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